Take Home Messages:

Workplaces are complex social systems affected by administrative policy, yet also highly influenced by front-line supervisors and colleagues.

To create a healthy work-place, a healthy ‘micro-work’ environment with positive aspects such as respect and support is very important.

Workers’ views and perceptions of work organisation are important and useful in facilitating changes to make a better work environment.

Workers have been shown to value:

• Support and respect in the work place; and
• Organisational commitment to safe work practises and a healthy work environment.

Why the research matters:

The importance of a healthy workplace is well recognised. Benefits range from improved individual quality of life to increased work productivity and general improvements in public health. So far, much of the available research has focused on the physical aspects of occupational health and safety such as hygiene, physical hazards and occurrence of injuries.

This study recognises the influence on health of the broader work organisation or “the set of social customs and norms”, management, labour polices and laws that shape the physical and social organisation of the workplace. The researchers aimed to glean a better understanding of this area by capturing the views of workers on work organisation and its impact on health.
 

What the research involved:

Researchers from Ontario in Canada gathered information by way of ‘focus’ or discussion groups as well as individual interviews with participants. They aimed to gather ideas, themes and perceptions of work organisation.

40 participants were recruited using advertisements in newspapers, notices at the local university and in other public areas. They ranged in ages from young students who worked part time, to full time workers with 37 - 45 hour weeks.

The focus groups used trained facilitators to guide discussions on a semi-structured interview basis. They lasted between 60 - 90 min. The interviews followed a similar format but lasted between 45 - 60 min.

Both aimed to cover:

• A definition of work organisation;
• Perceptions of how work organisation affects health;
• Barriers to improving health and safety; and
• Recommendations from participants.

Transcripts and recordings of interviews and focus groups were then analysed to collect common themes.

Summary of research findings:

After discussion with workers, researchers found that there were two major work organisation themes perceived as being important:

• The need for support and respect in the work place; and,
• Organisational commitment to safe work practises and a healthy work environment.

There was some overlap between the two, as some workers believed that organisational commitment was a sign of respect.

Support and respect in the workplace

Interactions with and attitudes of co-workers:

• Positive relationships created an enjoyable and healthy environment.
• Negative relationships impacted on heath and safety, however, they also presented an obstacle to future change. Examples of negative interactions were:
  • Irritable and unsafe work practise of colleagues;
  • Gender discrimination;
  • Age discrimination; and
  • Lack of trust in colleagues.

Direct supervisor’s attitude and management / communication style:

There were mainly negative comments on this topic, these included:

• Miscommunication and lack of needed guidance;
• Negative interactions with supervisors;
• Stress generated by supervisors’ ignorance of workplace issues; and
• Unappreciative, demanding and/or unclear job expectations.

Few solutions were offered for these problems.

Organisational commitment to safe work practises and healthy work environments

 This was divided into these 6 sub-themes:

1. A need for management commitment - not just by actions but also through attitude and mentality so that health and safety values become a core part of the organisation.
2. Implementation of policies, procedures and progress - There was a need for clear policies and rules that abided by legislation. Suggestions were made for the introduction of health and wellness programs, for example, lunch time walking.
3. Work-load, work flow and scheduling - Office workers complained of tiredness, lack of breaks, musculoskeletal problems and eye strain. These problems had a negative impact not only on the time spent at work but also affected quality of life and time spent with family outside of work.
4. Physical environment at work was commonly reported as a source of potential safety risks and physical stress. Ergonomics were not normally a problem as there seems to have been much progress in this area. It was generally more environmental issues such as limited space, poor lighting and inadequate ventilation.
5. Many workers feel there would be improvements if there was enhanced communication between workers and upper management that allowed for worker input.
6. Poor or lack of training by work supervisors. Many workers felt that roles were not clearly defined or understood.

Original research:

Work organization and health: A qualitative study of the perceptions of workers

MacDermid JC, Geldart S, Williams RM, Westmorland M, Lin CY, Shannon H.

Work. 2008;30(3):241-54

Link to Pub Med article